Natural Sciences (NSc)
The intent of this requirement is for students to develop a foundational understanding of the natural sciences. Courses meeting this requirement introduce students to the theories, methodologies, and methods employed by natural scientists and/or the topics, issues, and content knowledge with which they commonly engage. Natural Sciences (NSc)-designated courses may be rooted in a range of fields and disciplines.
Specific learning outcomes for any given NSc course may vary, but it is expected that upon successful completion of any NSc course students will be better able to:
- Recognize how natural science inquiry is focused on, for example, physical, chemical, biological, mathematical, and/or technological phenomena, concepts, principles, processes, and/or theories; and understand and describe the questions that can and cannot be answered through such inquiry.
and/or
- Engage with research in the natural sciences, either through learning about the methods commonly employed by natural scientists, or by conducting original research in a course-based setting. Research in this context may be observational, empirical, experimental, conceptual, applied, and/or theoretical, and is often characterized by hypothesis development and testing; measurement techniques and data interpretation; and aims for objectivity.
and/or
- Think critically about the natural sciences by analyzing information, evaluating arguments, making informed judgments, solving problems, thinking creatively, considering multiple perspectives and/or reflecting on their own thinking.